EARTHQUAKES

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11737, 26 January 1924, Page 14

EARTHQUAKES

MR FIELD 3 PREDICTIONS. (To tRs Editor, N.Z. "Times”). Sir,—As this is a suhject you have at times given spaco to in your valuable papers, I venture to draw your attention to Mr Field’s work. Some 18 months ago ho (Mr F. 11. Field) conducted a series of lectures in Auckland on “The Workings of the Sun,” and later in the Wellington Town Hall, and during the course of these addrtesscs he mad© predictions (some reported in the press, some not) of a number of earthquakes which afterwards occurred, in soma cases to the hour mentioned. As for the Japanese earthquakes, newspapers show that he predmted the disaster of September, including tho volcanic eruption. The Yokohama earthquake of October 3rd last he also foretold, at the time earthquakes were predicted (successfully in two cases) for New Zealand. The time given by him for the ’quake which occurred on the 16th inst. was noted by me on Decembei 20th last as to occur on January 15th at 9 a.m. New Zealand time, which exactly corresponds with the cabled report. Scientists have maintained that the phenomenon of earthquakes presented a problem of the utmost difficulty and importance. To the world at large it matters little who solves that- problem, but io the country rfiat can claim credit for the solution it matters a great deal. Is Mr Field and is New Zealand go ing to dally till his ideas are pirated, and we find another country awarded the honour? Considering the inadequate facilities he has at his disposal it is not difficult to conclude what wonderful results could be obtained if ho had all proper advantages. But his work goes much furthei than this he claims not oniy to fore tell the weather for seasons of years to come (his achievements in this direction have also received Draise from the press), but undertakes to tell from conditions other than thoso of ordinary weather, the crops most suitable for each season and oven the specially favourable days for sowing the seed, so as to get the fullest advantage of our peculiarly fluctuating share of the sun’s vital force. ' In such, ways as those Mi Field’s work gives distinct promise of exceedingly valuable results, and its importance is my excuse for trespassing upon your valuable space. Ik WJffiUJOAIE.